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Many won't remember it but the Senators' centre sure does. In Grade 8, he was the quarterback for St. Thomas More Collegiate and helped lead the Knights to a provincial title.

"I got to play on the field," said Turris before the club's flight here Friday. "It was a cool experience. Pretty neat."

Who says you can't go home again?

The only people in the stands were friends and family so the atmosphere should be different than Turris recalls when the Senators face the Vancouver Canucks in Sunday's Heritage Classic.

While it's been a tough sell because of the ticket prices and the lack of a rivalry between the Senators and Canucks, the building will be full with more than 50,000 on hand for the 'Outdoor' game.

The weather forecast is 4C with light snow which means the retractable roof should be open. That should help the atmosphere because domes can sometimes be cavernous.

The 24-year-old Turris has a hard time hiding his excitement about this game because he's had the date circled on his calendar since the schedule came out last August.

He expects to have 30-to-40 members of his family and friends in the crowd. His wife Julie is in town and they spent Friday night having dinner at his parents place to prepare for a big weekend.

The players will have family on hand and they'll be allowed to go for a twirl with their husbands once coach Paul MacLean has blown the final whistle to officially end practice Saturday.

"When I found out the 'Outdoor' game was Ottawa versus Vancouver I didn't really think it was real. It was kind of surreal," said Turris. "I was excited right away and I've been looking forward to this for quite awhile."

This will be the first time Turris has gone back to Vancouver with his Ottawa teammates since being acquired by the Senators in December 2011 from the Phoenix Coyotes for David Rundblad.

While Turris has suited up there a couple of times with the Coyotes, he hasn't had a chance with Ottawa yet. This means a lot because he knows he'll get a chance to play and contribute.

His first trip to Vancouver as rookie with the Coyotes in 2008-09 wasn't one he likes to remember.

"It's going to be really nice to go back and play," said Turris. "The first time I was back there with Phoenix in my rookie year I was a healthy scratch the first game. That was really tough.

"It's going to be nice to go back and play and have the opportunity to show that I'm having fun and enjoying Ottawa."

Being scratched with the Coyotes that season, was particularly hard to take.

"It was really tough," said Turris. "You are five games into your rookie year, you bought 30 tickets for family and friends and they don't tell you until after warmups at 7:05 (p.m.) for the game.

"Yeah, it was a tough experience. Something I learned from. You just move forward."

Another Ottawa player looking forward to the trip is defenceman Patrick Wiercioch. He has been in and out of the lineup lately but perhaps his number will get called by coach Paul MacLean, who has rotated the defence.

The 23-year-old Wiercioch is from Burnaby and is excited. His nephew is turning five Saturday and will be on hand to go for a skate.

"I'm just really excited to head out West," said Wiercioch. "It'd be a neat experience. Maybe as he gets older he'll understand what a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that was. He'll appreciate it a little bit more."

Wiercioch has never gotten the chance to play at B.C. Place but he did add one part of the story that Turris forgot to tell about his victory.

"Kyle's championship was the only time he ever threw a (interception) in that building. You should ask him about that one. Tell him you checked the stats," said Wiercioch with a smile.

Turris and the Senators are looking forward to the Heritage Classic Sunday and are hoping they can leave with strong memories.